Help. Urgent User Account Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Morton Linder
  • Start date Start date
M

Morton Linder

Hi,

I'm running XP Pro on my new IBM T-40, with Norton Antivirus & Zone
Alarm. All was OK, but I read that using the default administrator
account with no ID name and no password was not secure. I was advised to
start a new administrator account for daily use, and reserve the no-name
default account for crashes. So, last evening I started a new Admin.
account named Mort. Am I sorry. Now, more than half of my short cuts and
icons are missing from the desktop, my old e-mails are only available
via the net and not directly from my hard drive, and I am effectively
locked out of my own laptop. I even did another new admin. account named
Morton, which is my computer name of record, with the same result. I
tried deleting the first new account, and was told on screen that I
can't.

I really want to get rid of the two new admin. accounts, revert to the
default no-name
no-password admin. account, and regain full use of my laptop. I do have
a full backup of about a week ago, on an external hard drive A.B.S..

How do I do that? Is there a straightforward way? Must I enter the
register, which I am not experienced in? Must I get professional help?
Must I transfer a file or program from my external backup to my hard
drive? If so, then which file(s)?

Any advice and help will be greatly appreciated.

Mort

(e-mail address removed)
 
Hi,

I'm running XP Pro on my new IBM T-40, with Norton Antivirus & Zone
Alarm. All was OK, but I read that using the default administrator
account with no ID name and no password was not secure. I was advised to
start a new administrator account for daily use, and reserve the no-name
default account for crashes. So, last evening I started a new Admin.
account named Mort. Am I sorry. Now, more than half of my short cuts and
icons are missing from the desktop, my old e-mails are only available
via the net and not directly from my hard drive, and I am effectively
locked out of my own laptop. I even did another new admin. account named
Morton, which is my computer name of record, with the same result. I
tried deleting the first new account, and was told on screen that I
can't.
Click to expand...

In Windows XP, each user has there own desktop settings, documents and
settings. You can copy the settings etc from the original user account
via System control panel, Advanced, User Profile Settings, and select
the old account and Copy To your new account
e.g.
c:\documents and settings\Mort (or Morton)

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/
 
Hi Again, Peter,

I tried your suggestion, but it did not seem to change all the bad things.
The mysterious thing is that, under User Profile Settings, my original
administrator file is listed, (as well as the 2 new ones, Mort and
Morton),but I do not know how to access it. At least, my e-mail is working
again

Mort.
 
Morton Linder said:
Hi Again, Peter,

I tried your suggestion, but it did not seem to change all the bad
things. The mysterious thing is that, under User Profile Settings, my
original administrator file is listed, (as well as the 2 new ones,
Mort and Morton),but I do not know how to access it. At least, my
e-mail is working again

Mort.
Click to expand...

Reboot and press Ctrl-Alt-Delete twice at the Welcome screen.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP IE/OE
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Reply to Newsgroup. I won't answer email
Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
 
Hi Frank,

Your suggestion worked nicely, and I thank you for giving me back my
computer. I must do the control alt. delete each time I log on, but that is
no problem. Strangely enough, it only works with my 2 new user accounts,
Mort and Morton. If I delete one of the two, then there is no welcome
screen. Ah well, maybe Bill Gates understands this stuff.

Again, my sincere thanks.

Mort
 
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